An overview of our TMJ and Bruxism treatment options

Many people suffer from headaches, earaches, tenderness of the jaw muscles, or dull aching pain. These symptoms are often the result of bruxism or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. These disorders may have a variety of causes and often occur when the chewing muscles and jaw joints do not work together correctly. In many cases, we can successfully treat these disorders.

After a consultation, Our doctors will prescribe an individualized treatment plan to help ease your discomfort. This plan may include an occlusal guard, which is a removable acrylic appliance, custom fit to your particular dentition. Our independent on-site laboratory will tailor this appliance to your specific needs.

What is a TMJ disorder?

The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw bone to your skull and serves as a sliding hinge. If you experience jaw pain, you may have TMD, which is a temporomandibular joint disorder. TMD Is characterized by pain when you open your mouth, close your mouth, and even when you try to relax your jaw. TMD commonly causes chronic pain in the jaw, difficulty chewing, locking of the jaw, and/or clicking sounds in your jaw.

How do I know if I have Bruxism?

Bruxism is a condition characterized by teeth grinding. If you awaken to jaw pain, tooth pain, or headaches, you may have Bruxism. It can affect adults and children alike. Along with grinding your teeth, you may also clench your teeth, both while you sleep and during the day when you’re fully awake.

Can Smiley Dental Group heal my jaw pain?

Yes, absolutely! TMJ pain and Bruxism are conditions we see regularly in our clinic. After initial examinations, we can determine if you have either TMD or Bruxism and recommend a course of treatment accordingly. While pain relief medications can help in the short term, we can provide you with simple, lasting chronic pain treatments. If you have TMD or Bruxism, we can create custom-made mouthguards to wear at night. For TMD, these mouthguards can help hold your jaw in a more comfortable position to prevent pain. Mouthguards can also prevent Bruxism patients from clenching and grinding their teeth, so they awaken to pain-free mornings.

If you suspect you may have Bruxism or TMJ pain, call us at 614-289-1375 to set up an appointment with our dentists, or fill out our contact form to learn more.